Breaking down the dwindling infield options for…
The Yankees’ infield options are dwindling.
Jorge Polanco, who had been of some stage of curiosity, agreed to re-sign with the Mariners on Thursday.
Ha-Seong Kim landed with the Rays on Wednesday.
The void left by Gleyber Torres stays, and there will not be many confirmed free brokers left for the plucking.
Gleyber Torres signed with the Tigers as a free agent this offseason. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
The market for second basemen and third basemen is led by Alex Bregman — a signing that may ship the Yankees hovering previous the ultimate CBT threshold — and contains a few potential targets a number of tiers beneath.
It is feasible that the Yankees enter camp (and the season) with Jazz Chisholm Jr. as their second baseman and permit DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza to battle it out for third base.
But about a week and a half earlier than pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, right here is a take a look at some of the Yankees’ exterior options:
Free brokers
Kiké Hernández
A source stated the Yankees have inquired on Hernandez, whom in addition they requested about final winter.
The 33-year-old utilityman is an October legend who stepped up his recreation again in serving to the Dodgers win the World Series, however who has been odd lately in the common season, proudly owning a .643 OPS from 2022-24.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Enrique Hernandez (8) reacts to a play during the ninth inning towards the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The most probably vacation spot for Hernandez, although, might be back in Los Angeles, and the Dodgers can have open roster spots when they can slide injured gamers to the 60-day injured listing.
Jose Iglesias
Would the Yankees set off a totally different type of “OMG” response from Mets followers?
The 35-year-old second baseman/pop star nonetheless lingers in free company after a good stint in Queens by which he hit .337 over 85 video games.
Jose Iglesias was a spark for the Mets final season. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
His superior metrics don’t help that his tempo was sustainable, however the smooth-fielding veteran re-established that he’s a main league participant.
Yoan Moncada
Early in the offseason, the Yankees requested for and obtained medical data on Moncada, who performed simply 12 video games with the White Sox final season as a result of of an adductor pressure.
Moncada is predicted to be prepared for the begin of spring coaching.
Yoan Moncada is one other potential Yankees option. Getty Images
A source stated the Yankees haven’t re-engaged on Moncada, which might change when the domino that’s Bregman and different infielders are taken off the board.
The 29-year-old started brilliantly with Chicago however has struggled to remain on the area lately (averaging about 70 video games per season in his previous three) and struggled when on the area (.678 OPS in the span).
Brendan Rodgers
The former third-overall decide of the Rockies broke out in 2021 (.798 OPS) and gained a Gold Glove at second in ’22, however he has posted a mixed .716 OPS since (whereas enjoying his home video games in a hitters’ paradise).
Rodgers is simply 28 however may be seen more as a flier than a surefire starter.
Trades
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals president John Mozeliak advised reporters a few weeks in the past it’s “a top priority” to maneuver Arenado, an growing older however good third baseman.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) in the eighth inning of a baseball recreation Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Denver. AP
The Cardinals must eat some of the $74 million Arenado is due for the subsequent three seasons.
How a lot does the 33-year-old, whose OPS has slipped from .891 to .774 to .719 over the previous three years, have left?
Luis Arraez
The Yankees’ post-Juan Soto pivot has included shoring up their protection, and the poor-fielding and -running Arraez wouldn’t match that purpose.
But the 27-year-old is a wizard with a bat, and the Yankees have no apparent leadoff hitter.
Arraez is set to make $14 million in his walk-year, and the Padres reportedly wish to trim payroll.
Alec Bohm
Would the Phillies, who’ve been pretty inactive this winter, attempt to shake up the lineup after a disappointing, NLDS loss to the Mets?
Alec Bohm struggled in the NLDS towards the Mets. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The 28-year-old Bohm emerged as an All-Star third baseman final yr however fell off in the second half — and nosedived in October, culminating in a Game 2 benching.
Willi Castro
The Twins’ do-everything fielder is simply 27 and was an All-Star final season.
The Twins may be prepared to maneuver him, although, after a poor second half in a season his OPS completed at .717 and earlier than his walk-year, by which he is because of make $6.4 million.
Castro is a robust fielder who might slide to 3rd base (or anyplace, actually) and runs effectively, however he doesn’t hit the ball laborious.
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